Dabo Swinney updates the status of ailing freshman OL Ian Reed

Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney shared an update on the status of freshman offensive lineman Ian Reed during his National Signing Day press conference.

Swinney explained that Reed isn’t practicing ahead of Clemson’s bowl game. On top of that, Swinney is now looking ahead to the spring for getting him back.

“No, he won’t practice,” Dabo Swinney said.

What’s actually ailing Ian Reed is something that Dabo Swiney was vague about. However, it does appear to be an illness and not an injury. Either way, it’s sidelined him after an impressive season of practicing for the Tigers.

“Yeah, he’s had a, I don’t know what the exact word [is], but he’s been sick. He’s, I think, on the right path there and we’re just excited about him. We saw enough of him during the season, during practice and all this,” Swinney said.

“This is a, he’s a tough, physical kid. He’s like a bigger Harris [Sewell], if you will. Just likes to play, wants to learn, very eager, and so he’s got a lot of days ahead of him. So, hopefully, he can kind of get this situation under control and get back out there this spring and get rolling.”

Ian Reed came to Clemson as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2023, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, from the state of Texas. There, he was the 268th-ranked recruit in the country overall. While he didn’t go to the same high school as quarterback Cade Klubnik, both of them are natives of Austin, Texas.

Clemson will take on Kentucky in the Gator Bowl on December 29th.

Dabo Swinney reveals Clemson veteran OL Trent Howard will return for 2024 season

It was bad news about freshman offensive lineman Ian Reed. However, Dabo Swinney did have a positive update on a veteran offensive lineman. Trent Howard is going to be returning for the 2024 season.

“Trent’s back. Trent’s going to be back. That’s huge for us, because we hadn’t lost a game since Trent started. He’s played a lot of football for us now. He’s a very experienced player. To know that he’s a guy that that gives us seven starters,” Swinney said.

“Trent’s got, Trent can play both guards just like you saw last game, he played left guard and right guard. He’s got really good length and he’s a guy, too, that’s battled through some injuries and some things, so I think he’ll really attack this offseason.”